More than 20 Territory health professionals have been awarded at the 2021 Northern Territory Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Worker and Practitioner Excellence Awards tonight.
The winners were announced at a celebration event in Darwin recognising the significant contribution of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health professionals to their communities.
All Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health workers and practitioners employed in the Northern Territory were eligible for nomination.
Students studying qualifications from the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Primary Health Care Training Package were eligible for nomination in the Student Award category.
The awards are held in partnership with the Australian Government Department of Health, NT Health, Darwin Sunrise Rotary Club, United Workers Union, Aboriginal Medical Services Alliance Northern
Territory and the National Association of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Workers and Practitioners.
Quotes from Health Minister Natasha Fyles:
"I congratulate the 21 health professionals recognised tonight as well as all other frontline health worker in the Territory who make a positive difference to their communities.
"Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health workers play a vital role in the delivery of services and provide a conduit between traditional health and western medical services."
AWARD RECIPIENTS
Student Award - Emerging Aboriginal Health Practitioner
o Winner: Jecinta Tatipata, Casuarina Community Care Centre
o Winner: Leah Carter Rankine, Ti Tree Primary Health Care Centre
Student Award - Advanced Studies
o Winner: Sherryl King, Wurli-Wurlinjang Aboriginal Health Service
Urban Aboriginal Health Worker
o Winner: Ilija Jacobs, Top End Mental Health & Alcohol and Other Drugs
o Winner: Sherrelle Khan, Alice Springs Hospital
Remote Aboriginal Health Worker
o Winner: Virgil John Puruntatameri, Pirlangimpi Primary Health Care Centre
o Winner: Dorothy Gondarra, Miwatj Health Aboriginal Corporation
o Highly Commended: Susan Mungatopi, Milikapiti Primary Health Care Centre
New Aboriginal Health Practitioner
o Winner: Megan Munckton, Tennant Creek Hospital
o Winner: Sarah Quong, Danila Dilba Health Service
o Highly Commended: Chris Rankine-Johnson, Pine Creek Primary Health Care Centre
Urban Aboriginal Health Practitioner
o Winner: Emslie Lankin, Alice Springs Hospital
o Highly Commended: Elizabeth Hitchcock, Royal Darwin Hospital
o Highly Commended: Keinan Keighran, Wurli-Wurlinjang Aboriginal Health Service
Remote Aboriginal Health Practitioner
o Winner: Sarah Mariyalawuy Bukulatjpi, Miwatj Health Aboriginal Corporation
o Highly Commended: Maryanne Malbunka, Ntaria Primary Health Care Centre
Specialist Aboriginal Health Practitioner
o Winner: Ricky Orr, Titjikala Primary Health Care Centre
o Highly Commended: Eyvette Hawthorne, Royal Darwin Hospital
o Highly Commended: Patricia Nundhirribala, Numbulwar Primary Health Care Centre
Dr John Hargrave Honour Roll
o Charlie Gunabarra and Peter Pangquee have both been recognised on the Dr John Hargrave Honour Roll, acknowledging lifetime career achievement and role modelling behaviour that is an inspiration to others.
